Talas & Talas province

Talas is a lively market town in a broad valley dedicated to agriculture. The town itself has no sights to speak of, but serves as a good base if you are heading towards Taraz in Kazakhstan. Talas province sees few foreigners as most travelers prefer a different way into Kazakhstan, but it is interesting, and warrants at least a day of exploration.

There are some opportunities for hiking and horse riding, and you are sure to be the only one here. Talas also hosts many reminders of different stages in Kyrgyzstan’s history: petroglyphs, Silk Road archaeology, suggestions of Soviet times and the Manas mausoleum. It was also the scene of demonstrations that started the 2010 revolution, tales of which still abound.

Where to stay

Turdubek’s: (Kasim Kaymov/Yuzhnaya 76 – 0772 643 466). CBT coordinator Turdubek hosts a warm house 15 minutes walk from the center, with working wi-fi and a good shower. Other homestays are available for a lower price, but expect less comfort. Rooms are dorm-style, with 3-4 beds per room. Price is 800 som / night + breakfast. Meals are an extra 350 som. Expect Central Asian tastes for dinner, and a breakfast of eggs, jam, honey, bread, tea and fruits.

There is another hotel (forgot the name) a bit outside of town, in a former kindergarten. Heard conflicting reviews.

What to do

The road to Taraz: 25 km north from Talas, lies the village of Ak Dobo/Orlovka, which holds the surprising Herzen museum. The wide valley then gradually tightens as the road edges around the large placid Kirov reservoir. The mountains in the backdrop come closer until the pass, where a giant Lenin head resides over the dam. On the other side, have a look at the masterful bas-relief by Herzen. Pretty soon after, the tranquil Kazakh border looms ahead. A seat in a shared taxi to the Kazakh border amounts to 200 som. From Kazakhstan, it is more complicated to get to the border at the moment due to confusing reconstruction efforts in Taraz.

Manas Ordo: Kyrgyzstan’s mythical hero rests here according to some, and it is a popular pilgrimage spot for Kyrgyz. As a foreigner, you are likely not to get it. Besides the mausoleum a museum tells more about the epic of Manas. It’s a 30 som taxi seat to the clean and attractive town of Tash Aryk. Entrance is 200 som for foreigners. The mountain behind and the one across from Manas Ordo afford a nice view over the complex and the entire valley.

Besh-Tash National Park: It’s apparently a very beautiful place, with hot springs, isolated mountain lakes, rare animals, yurts and riveting vistas. A 2-day trek over the Terek Pass (3500m+) connects to Toktogul. A taxi to the entrance of the park is a pricey 2000 som due to the bad road. Reports welcome.

Petroglyphs: of relatively young age (2000-3000 years old) can be found in the Urmaral Valley and north of Tash Artyk in the Ken-Kol valley. Ask CBT coordinator Turdubek to guide you.

Urmaral valley: Another good hiking “trail” starting southwest from Talas in Bakay-Ata/Leninopol. In 6-8 days fit hikers can reach Sary-Chelek lake.

Kopuru Bazaar: a productive village with good options for a village homestay (arrange with Turdubek from Talas CBT) – horse riding, trekking, petroglyphs and hanging out with villagers (and likely without other tourists) are all available. There is no public transport to Kopuru Bazaar. Tarmac reaches to Aral, from there, a gravel road reaches Kopuru Bazaar after 30 km.